Tim Cahill couldn’t have asked for more from his first season in China, crediting his successful stint with Shanghai Shenhua with giving his storied football career added shine.
The 86-capped Socceroos great recently re-signed with the Chinese Super League outfit on the back of his spectacular form this season.
Cahill’s team-high 11 goals were instrumental in helping the side into the Chinese FA Cup final, where they will fight for a first trophy in 17 years as well as a ticket to the Asian Champions League.
The 35-year-old says he’s delighted football can still make him feel so invigorated, even so late in his 17-year career.
“The whole season for me has been consistent,” Cahill said on Monday.
“I look at my games from the start – the stats, where I am to the end, regardless of the goals.
“And getting ready to play in a massive final that the club’s not been in in 17 years, and if we win we’ll be playing in the Asian Champions League.
“That’s what football is all about, not just playing a season and getting through it and being happy playing for the Socceroos and playing 20 games.
“People know that I’ve been in China, they know what I’m doing for football. They also know what I’m doing internationally, so it’s awesome.”
Cahill has arrived in Canberra to join the Socceroos in camp ahead of Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan.
Coach Ange Postecoglou confirmed he remains a vital cog in his national squad who are also due to face Bangladesh in Dhaka next Tuesday.
It means Australia’s all-time leading goalscorer is still in contention to play a fourth World Cup in Russia, even though he will be 38 by the time it rolls around.
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